Lake Martin 50 Mile & 50K

The Lake Martin 50/50

50 Mile Course and the 50K Course

LAKE MARTIN 50 MILE: Yes, this is a change from previous years. The 50 Mile is simple. It is two full laps of the 25 Mile loop we have been using for years. We will start the race in front of the Cabins, as always, and runners will complete one full loop of the north end of the course and return to the Cabin. Stop at the aid station if needed, then run under the arch and continue the 25 mile loop running the south loop. When you complete the 25 mile course, run under the arch again and stop at the aid station if needed, then repeat the north and south loop again to finish at the cabin.

LAKE MARTIN 50K: 50K runners will start with the 50 mile runners and complete the full 25 mile lap of the course. When you return to the cabin after completing the south loop, run under the arch and stop at the aid station if needed. Turn around and run back under the arch and repeat the south loop. When you return to the Cabin, you will have completed the 50K course.

The Lake Martin 50 was designed from the ground up to be the perfect step-up from a 25K or 50K to a 50 mile or from a short trail race to a 50K trial race. Our goal is your success. We promise to do everything in our power to help you accomplish your goal, whether that goal is to run your first ultra or to break 8 hours in the 50 mile. We also pledge to make your race experience Fun! The race will be hard. All those beautiful hills become steeper and longer with each successive lap. Those gentle carriage paths become very long about mile 40. But if you have put in enough training miles, you can do it. We will encourage you, push you, help you, and even yell at you if necessary, to get you to the end. We might even let you rest occasionally. If you are ready, you can do it.

We will start with a few rules form the Lake Martin 50/50

1. No Complaining! You chose to run an ultra, now get it done.

2. No Littering – You will be running on the Russell Forest Trail System, private land owned by the Russell Family of Alexander City, Alabama.

3. We have the privilege of being the only running event allowed on the trail system that is not a Russell Lands event. Please help us stay in good favor with the Russell Family and help us maintain the natural beauty of the trails.

4. Be courteous to other trail users. You will be sharing the trails with other hikers, possibly a mountain biker and you may see a few horseback riders. Normally the horses have right-of-way, but for the race weekend, we runners have the right-of-way. Thank the riders for allowing you to pass.

5. Do Not stash supplies along the trails. There are plenty of aid stations where you can leave everything you will need.

6. Thank the Aid Station Volunteers. They have given up their weekend to help YOU finish your race.

7. Above all, Have Fun! Enjoy the experience and beauty of Lake Martin and the Russell Forest Trail System.

8. If you have a complaint, do not even mention it to volunteers. Find me, and complain.

9. All decisions of the Race Directors are final. Aid Station Captains have the authority to act as on-location race directors, but the RDs have final say on all decisions.

10. You may not cut the course. There are NO “bushwhacking” sections, there are not swimming sections. You must stay on the marked trails at all times. It’s your responsibility to know and stay on the course. The course is very well marked. If you do not run the course as marked you will not be considered a finisher.

11. You must complete the course on foot, with no assistance from vehicles, bicycles or other runners. (Is it really necessary to add this?)

12. Headphones: Headphones are acceptable while on the trails. Remove your headphones when approaching an aid station. We can’t communicate if you can’t hear us.

13. Lake Martin has no road sections however runners cross cabin roads several times each lap. Be cautious as you cross a road. Pay extra attention while crossing paved roads.

14. Young Children ARE NOT ALLOWED in any actual aid station tent at any time. Aid stations will be very busy with runners, volunteers, pacers, and crew members working to get everyone taken care of as efficiently as possible. It’s just not safe.

15. Medical Assistance: If you require an IV or oxygen at any point during the race, your race is over. (Yes, that includes those little oxygen things you can buy at gas stations.) If you are caught with one of those, you will be immediately disqualified.

16. If medical personnel determine that you are not physically able to safely continue the race you must stop immediately. Aid Station Captains and Medical Staff decisions are final. Do not argue. That could change a DNF to DISQ!

17. Dogs are not allowed to run with any runner or pacer at any time during the race. There are no exceptions.

18. Pets are not allowed in ANY AID STATION tent. If your crew has a pet with it, the dog MUST stay out of the aid station tent.